Multifunctional cleaning tool

ABSTRACT

A multifunctional cleaning tool for cleaning surfaces such as toilets. The multifunctional cleaning tool having both an abrasive portion and a nonabrasive portion, which are oriented generally at an angle to one another so that a user can use both the abrasive portion and the nonabrasive portions without drastically changing the orientation of the tool upon the surface to be cleaned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to cleaning tools, and moreparticularly relates to cleaning tools that are configured for use incleaning surfaces alternatively in both abrasive and nonabrasivemanners.

2 Background Information

There are many different types of cleaning implements and tools on themarket. Some of which are configured for abrasive cleaning (i.e., steelwool, pumice), and some of which are configured for a softer(nonabrasive) cleaning (i.e., cloth, sponge).

There are often surfaces or cleaning applications where both abrasiveand nonabrasive cleaning is required. Typically, to clean such asurface, two different cleaning tools, namely an abrasive one and anonabrasive one, are required. For instance, in areas of the UnitedStates where hard water is common, a toilet bowl will often develop aring of mineral deposits at or near the surface of the water in thetoilet bowl. A nonabrasive cleaning implement will be unable to removethis “hard water” deposit. As such, a user must use an abrasive cleanerto remove these mineral deposits. The preferred abrasive cleaner tendsto be a pumice stone due to the fact that pumice is abrasive enough toremove the mineral deposits, yet soft enough that the porcelain of thetoilet bowl will not be marred by use of the pumice stone.

While an abrasive cleaner like pumice is ideal for removing hard waterdeposits, the abrasive cleaner is not necessarily desirable for cleaningthe balance of the surface. One reason is the fact that pumice stonestend to be a consumable cleaning product (pumice stones are used becausethey readily wear). Additionally, pumice stones tend to be porous, afeature that is not necessarily desirable when selecting a cleaninginstrument intended to be reused. For those (and other) reasons, a userwill typically (after removing the mineral deposits) use a secondcleaning implement (such as a plastic bristled brush) to finish thecleaning task. Obviously, the need to use two separate cleaninginstruments to clean a single fixture is less than desirable.

What is needed is a multifunction cleaning tool that would allow a userto both remove the mineral deposits (an abrasive portion) and generallyclean the other toilet tank surfaces (a nonabrasive portion).Embodiments of the present invention satisfy this need.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbe set forth in part in the description which follows and in part willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of thefollowing or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a multifunctionalcleaning tool for abrasive and nonabrasive cleaning. The multifunctionalcleaning tool (“tool”) having a handle portion, a body portion, anabrasive cleaning portion and a nonabrasive cleaning portion. The handleis for allowing a user to hold and use the tool. The body is forconnecting with the handle and for providing a support for the twocleaning surfaces (abrasive and nonabrasive).

The abrasive portion attaching to the body portion and configured forcleaning a surface. The abrasive portion having an abrasive workingsurface. The nonabrasive portion attaching to the body portion andconfigured for cleaning a surface. The nonabrasive portion having anonabrasive working surface. In the preferred embodiment, the abrasiveportion working surface is not oriented generally parallel to saidnonabrasive working surface.

The body portion (“body”) having a longitudinal axis defined between abody first end and a body second end. The handle portion (“handle”)preferably having a longitudinal axis defined between a handle first endand a handle second end. Preferably, the second end attaches to the bodygenerally at the body first end so that the body portion's longitudinalaxis is not perpendicular or parallel to the handle portion'slongitudinal axis. The body having a top surface and a bottom surface.

It is preferred that the body second end comprise a mounting surfacethat is configured for attachment to the abrasive portion. Preferably,this mounting surface is at an angle relative to the bottom surface ofthe body. Thus, when the abrasive portion is mounted to the body, theplane of the working surface of the abrasive portion is not parallel tothe plane of the working surface of the nonabrasive portion, but rathergenerally comes at an angle to the nonabrasive portion so that a usercan manipulate the tool within the tank to selectively and alternativelyapply both the abrasive and nonabrasive portions to the surfaces to becleaned. In the preferred embodiment, the abrasive portion comprises apiece of pumice and an adhesive is used to attach the abrasive portionto the body.

It is preferred that the nonabrasive portion attach to the body at thebody's bottom side. In the preferred embodiment, the nonabrasive portioncomprises a number of plastic bristles that extend from the bottom sideof the body.

The purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the United StatesPatent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosureof the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define theinvention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is itintended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomereadily apparent to those skilled in this art from the followingdetailed description wherein I have shown and described only thepreferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration ofthe best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will berealized, the invention is capable of modification in various obviousrespects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, thedrawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regardedas illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications andalternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof havebeen shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit theinvention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, theinvention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, andequivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined in the claims.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show two views of one embodiment of the presentinvention, a multifunctional cleaning tool 10. The multifunctionalcleaning tool 10 being configured for cleaning a surface (or surfaces)with both an abrasive portion 50 and a nonabrasive portion 70. In thepreferred embodiment, the multifunctional cleaning tool 10 has a handleportion 20, a body portion 30, an abrasive portion 50 and a nonabrasiveportion 70. While these different independent portions are envisioned,it is likewise envisioned that these various portions could be combinedtogether into one or more solitary portions. For example, the handlecould be integral to the body portion or the body portion could serve asa handle portion.

The handle portion 20 is preferably configured for grasping by a user'shand. As such, a user can maneuver and position the multifunctionalcleaning tool 10 so as to clean the desired surfaces. Preferably, thehandle portion 20 has a first end 24 extending to a second end 26generally defining there between a longitudinal axis 22. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 2, the handle portion (“handle”) 20 actuallyhas two portions with a bend there between thereby resulting generallyin two longitudinal axes 22, 22′, with the longitudinal axis of concern(for this discussions purposes) being the first longitudinal axis 22that abuts the body portion 30.

The handle portion 20 is configured for attachment to a body portion 30.In the embodiment shown, it is envisioned that both the handle 20 andbody 30 will be co-molded or otherwise integrally formed with oneanother. However, it is expressly envisioned that the handle portion 20could be a separate piece from the body portion 30, and be configuredfor attachment thereto. In the embodiment shown, the handle portion 20is molded into the body portion 30 at the body portion's first end 34.The body portion 30 having a first end 34 extending to a body second end36 generally defining there between a longitudinal axis 32. The bodyportion 20 having a top side 38 and a bottom side 40 as well.

It is preferred that the body second end 36 further comprise a bodysecond end abrasive portion mounting surface 42 configured forattachment to the abrasive portion 50. In the embodiment shown, thisabrasive portion mounting surface 42 is oriented along a first plane 46.This first plane 46 preferably oriented at an angle to the body bottomside plane 48 so that the working surface of the attached (preferablyrectangular prismatic shaped) abrasive portion 50 is oriented likewiseat an angle to the body bottom side plane 48.

It is preferred that the abrasive portion 50 be adhered to the bodysecond end abrasive portion mounting surface 42 through use of anadhesive. However, it is likewise envisioned that the abrasive portion50 could be removable and replaceable, for instance, if the user wantedto replace the abrasive portion 50 when it wears down. Possible mannersof releaseably attaching the abrasive portion include, but are notlimited to: adhesives, hook-and-loop attachments, fasteners, frictionfits, etc.

These two planes (46, 48) preferably result in, when the abrasive andnonabrasive portions are attached/extend therefrom, the provision of anabrasive working surface plane 58 as well as a nonabrasive workingsurface plane 78. These two working surface planes are orientedgenerally at an angle to one another, not being parallel orperpendicular to one another.

As discussed above, the body second end abrasive portion mountingsurface 42 is configured for attachment with an abrasive portion 50. Inthe preferred embodiment, this abrasive portion 50 comprising arectangular prismatic block of pumice stone, however, other abrasivematerials could likewise be used for the abrasive portion. This abrasiveportion 50 having a working surface 52 configured for engaging a surfaceto be abraded. It is preferred that this working surface 52, asdiscussed above, generally lie within a working surface plane 58 whichextends to join the working surface plane 78 of the nonabrasive portionat an angle. As such, the abrasive portion 50 being oriented at an angleto the position of the nonabrasive portion 70. Obviously, an abrasiveportion used for cleaning could have more than one working surface, andas such, the above disclosure of a particular working surface 52 is notintended to be a limitation as to what working surfaces may be used by auser.

The nonabrasive portion 70 is configured for extending from the bodybottom side 40 and attaching to the body bottom side nonabrasive portionmounting surface 44. In the preferred embodiment, it is likely that thenonabrasive portion 70 comprises a plurality of bristles 74 molded intoand extending therefrom the body bottom side 40. However, other types ofnonabrasive portions are likewise considered.

While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment ofthe invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention isnot limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within thescope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it willbe apparent that various changes may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

1. A multifunctional cleaning tool for abrasive and nonabrasivecleaning, said tool comprising: a handle portion for holding by a user;a body portion connecting to said handle portion, said body providing asupport for an abrasive portion and a nonabrasive portion; an abrasiveportion configured for cleaning a surface, said abrasive portion havingan abrasive working surface; and said nonabrasive portion having anonabrasive working surface; wherein said abrasive portion workingsurface is not generally parallel to said nonabrasive working surface.2. The tool of claim 1, wherein said body portion has a longitudinalaxis defined between a body portion first end which extends to a bodyportion second end, wherein said handle portion has a longitudinal axisdefined between a handle portion first end which extends to a handleportion second end, said handle portion second end attaching to saidbody portion generally at said body portion first end, wherein the bodyportion longitudinal axis is not perpendicular to said handle portionlongitudinal axis.
 3. The tool of claim 1, wherein said body portion hasa top side surface and a bottom side surface.
 4. The tool of claim 3,wherein said body portion second end comprises a mounting surfaceconfigured for attachment to said abrasive portion.
 5. The tool of claim3, wherein said nonabrasive portion attaches to said body portion atsaid body portion bottom side.
 6. The tool of claim 3, wherein saidnonabrasive portion is molded into said body portion bottom side.
 7. Thetool of claim 1, wherein said abrasive portion is configured for removaland replacement.
 8. The tool of claim 1, wherein said abrasive portionis comprised of pumice.
 9. The tool of claim 1, wherein said abrasiveportion attaches to said mounting surface through use of an adhesive.10. The tool of claim 1, wherein said nonabrasive portion comprises aplurality of bristles.
 11. A multifunctional cleaning tool for abrasiveand nonabrasive cleaning, said tool comprising: a handle portion forholding by a user; a body portion connecting to said handle portion,said body providing a support for an abrasive portion and a nonabrasiveportion; an abrasive portion configured for cleaning a surface, saidabrasive portion having an abrasive working surface; and saidnonabrasive portion having a nonabrasive working surface; wherein saidabrasive portion working surface is not generally parallel to saidnonabrasive working surface; wherein said body portion has alongitudinal axis defined between a body portion first end which extendsto a body portion second end, wherein said handle portion has alongitudinal axis defined between a handle portion first end whichextends to a handle portion second end, said handle portion second endattaching to said body portion generally at said body portion first end,wherein the body portion longitudinal axis is not perpendicular to saidhandle portion longitudinal axis.
 12. The tool of claim 11, wherein saidbody portion has a top side surface and a bottom side surface.
 13. Thetool of claim 12, wherein said body portion second end comprises amounting surface configured for attachment to said abrasive portion. 14.The tool of claim 12, wherein said nonabrasive portion attaches to saidbody portion at said body portion bottom side.
 15. The tool of claim 12,wherein said nonabrasive portion is molded into said body portion bottomside.
 16. The tool of claim 11, wherein said abrasive portion isconfigured for removal and replacement.
 17. The tool of claim 11,wherein said abrasive portion is comprised of pumice.
 18. The tool ofclaim 11, wherein said abrasive portion attaches to said mountingsurface through use of an adhesive.
 19. The tool of claim 11, whereinsaid nonabrasive portion comprises a plurality of bristles.
 20. Amultifunctional cleaning tool for abrasive and nonabrasive cleaning,said tool comprising: a handle portion for holding by a user; a bodyportion connecting to said handle portion, said body providing a supportfor an abrasive portion and a nonabrasive portion, wherein said bodyportion has a top side surface and a bottom side surface, said bodyportion having a first end extending to a second end, said body portionsecond end comprising a mounting surface configured for attachment to anabrasive portion; an abrasive portion configured for cleaning a surface,said abrasive portion comprising a pumice stone having at least oneabrasive working surface, said pumice stone attached to said mountingsurface through use of an adhesive; and said nonabrasive portion havinga nonabrasive working surface, wherein said nonabrasive portion attachesto said body portion at said body portion bottom side, said nonabrasiveportion comprising a plurality of bristles molded into said body portionbottom side; wherein said abrasive portion working surface is notgenerally parallel to said nonabrasive working surface; wherein saidbody portion has a longitudinal axis defined between a body portionfirst end which extends to a body portion second end, wherein saidhandle portion has a longitudinal axis defined between a handle portionfirst end which extends to a handle portion second end, said handleportion second end attaching to said body portion generally at said bodyportion first end, wherein the body portion longitudinal axis is notperpendicular to said handle portion longitudinal axis.